Decorative heel cover for high heel sandal shoes

ABSTRACT

A reusable, decorative, form fitting shoe cover for women&#39;s open back high heel sandal shoes. The cover comprises a continuous body made of stretchable material and has two openings; a top loop for heel insertion and a bottom loop for top lift exposure. The body comprises an expandable form fitting top portion, two lateral side portions, an underside portion, and an elongated heel portion.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a reusable decorative high heel cover specific to cover the back portion of an open back high heel sandal shoe.

PRIOR ART

In the prior art there have been ways and inventions to change the look of a high heel shoe, for example, dying a shoe to change color or sewing material or a decoration to change the appearance which results in permanency.

Other ways or inventions include reusable shoe covers for high heels, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,442, Liebmann et al, created a cover for a high heel shoe, however, it is limited by the type of shoe style appropriate to fit their cover requiring that the shoe be slender in heel portion with a closed back eggshell throat and use of adhesives are used to secure the cover which results in permanency and may also ruin the shoe 442. It may also be argued that this type of invention, a cover for a whole shoe, detracts from the unique structure, design, and shape of shoe, and furthermore, may cause excessive heat of wearer's foot.

Other prior art inventions involve a shoe cover that cover the partial of a shoe by use of straps for clog type shoe, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,251, uses lacy design of braided decorative straps for clogs which are not always fashionable.

Women like variety in their shoes and appreciate the structure, shape, and design that a shoe has to offer. The present invention embodies a partial cover over the back of an open back high heel sandal shoe which enables a shoe to maintain it's front and side structure and design of a shoe by only covering it's heel portion. In addition, the present invention allows the heel and back portion of sandal to maintain its structure and shape due to the stretchable form fitting qualities of the material to form fit heel portion like a glove. By covering only the heel portion of sandal, you maintain front structure and design while adding a design or pattern to the back of heel.

What is needed is a high heel cover specifically designed to fit an open back high heel sandal shoe that is reusable, durable, easy to apply and remove without using any adhesives or other such limiting features, such as straps. The principle object and utility of this invention is to provide an inexpensive reusable decorative cover specific for covering a women's open back high heel sandal which provides an affordable way to accessorize a single pair of women's high heel sandal shoes. The embodiments of the present invention fits high heel sandals ranging from 2.5 inches high and can be stretched up to 5 inches long, and ranges from one quarter inch wide and stretches up to 1 inch wide to accommodate the various heel length and width sizes and is not limited to stiletto only type heels.

The benefits of a reusable high heel cover are: 1) conceal scuffed or damaged heels with poor appearance, 2) when travelling a woman will decrease the load by reducing the amount of shoes, instead one pair of shoes and multiple covers that are easy to transport, 3) save money in buying new shoes and instead use covers to keep up with fashion trends, color coordinate with wardrobe, or dress up shoe for evening wear.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A reusable decorative high heel cover specific for covering the back of an open back high heel sandal shoe: a cover comprising a continuous body made of a two dimensional stretch fabric that is cut from two pieces of material in the shape of the letter P. The body comprises a form fitting elongated heel portion containing an interior and exterior wall portion and a bottom loop opening for top lift exposure. The hood portion of the cover, found at the top part of the P, comprises a top loop opening for heel insertion, a form fitting top portion for covering rear top of sole, a form fitting underside portion for covering bottom of sole and two form fitting lateral side portions comprised of left and right sides seamed together at the top portion and underside portion of heel cover forming an envelope covering for both the left and right side of shoe sole.

Women desire to own different style high heel shoes to match their wardrobe, keep up with current fashion trends, designs, and to coordinate with accessories such as handbags, scarves, and other such items. The most common high heel shoe can be found in either a closed back high heel model or a sandal high heel model. The embodiments of this invention pertains to a cover specific to fit an open back high heel sandal shoe which may contain an ankle strap that attaches from the front portion of the shoe and around the ankle, leaving the rear heel of foot exposed and uninterrupted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a woman's open back high heel sandal shoe before applying a decorative heel cover embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the decorative heel cover embodying the invention shown alone.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion of sandal being inserted into the shoe cover of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the final step of heel cover being placed over the back portion of high heel sandal's sole of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a decorative heel cover of FIG. 2 applied over the rear portion of a high heel sandal shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the underside portion of shoe cover of FIG. 2 shown on the bottom portion of a sandal's sole of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the shoe cover of FIG. 2 applied over the rear exterior of a high heel sandal shoe of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a version of an open back high heel sandal shoe. In certain embodiments of a high heel sandal shoe may have a slender appearance at the lower portion of the heel 9 and is contoured wider at the upper portion of the heel where it supports and is connected to the sole of the shoe 3,7.

FIG. 2 the following description describes the heel cover shown alone. The decorative heel cover is made of stretchable fabric, preferably of spandex material but not limited to, and must be stretchable in two dimensional stretch qualities. The fabric may contain prints, sequins, or other such designs in the material. Beadings, bows, and other such decorations may be sewn onto fabric for originality.

Once the fabric of choice is made, two pieces of material are placed one on top of the other and are cut in the shape of the letter P. The top rounded portion of the letter P, is referred to as the hood portion of cover and the connecting length to the P is referred to as the elongated heel portion of cover. FIG. 2 the seams are arranged along the exterior and interior contour of the hood and elongated heel portion with the exception of two openings. The first, located at the bottom end of the elongated heel portion 11,23 and the other opening located at the top right part of the hood 15,17. The top opening is referred to as the top loop 15,17 shown in FIG. 3 as seen heel portion of shoe inserted into top loop 15,17. The bottom opening referred to as the bottom loop 11,23 shown in FIG. 4 as seen top lift 1 of heel exposed through bottom loop 11,23 of the elongated heel cover.

Elongated Heel

FIG. 2 the elongated heel portion of cover is shaped to form an actual elongated high heel and is made from stretchable material so that the heel cover fits the length and width of shoe heel like a glove. The dimensions of the elongated heel cover measure 2.5 inches in length and a width that measures one quarter inch wide, and the same for the bottom loop opening 11,23, also measuring one quarter inch wide. The heel cover, shown alone in FIG. 2, illustrates an elongated heel portion having an interior and an exterior seam. The seam of the interior portion of the heel cover begins from the bottom loop 11 up along heel portion 12,13 and continues along the underside portion 14 of hood until the bottom of the top loop 15 is met. The exterior portion of the heel cover has a seam that begins at the bottom loop 23 and runs up along the exterior elongated heel portion 22,21, and continues along the contour 20,19 of the hood portion, crossing the top 18 of hood until top part of the top loop 17 is met.

When the heel cover is applied on the sandal shoe, shown in FIG. 7, an illustration of a rear view shows the placement of the exterior seam found along the mid center of the elongated heel portion 22,21, which runs from the mid center of the bottom loop 23, up along the mid center of heel portion 21,22, continuing through the mid center of exterior contour of hood cover 20,19 and across the mid center of top portion of hood 18 until top loop 17 is met. The placement of the seam along the interior of elongated heel cover 12,13 when applied to shoe, shown in FIG. 5, begins at the mid center of the bottom loop 11 and runs up along the mid center of the interior portion of the elongated heel wall 12,13, and continues along the mid underside portion of hood 14 until the bottom of top loop 15 is met.

FIG. 5 once the heel cover is applied to sandal, the cover due to its stretchable material form fits the shape of sandal heel length and width and will expand and retract thereby maintaining the aesthetic dimensions of heel. In use, the elongated heel portion of cover is made to fit the width from one quarter inch wide and expand up to 1 inch and has an expandable length from 2.5 inches long up to 5 inches, limited only by the type of stretchable material used. The bottom loop 11,23 has the ability to stretch from one quarter inch up to 1 inch to accommodate different size top lift 1 of heels. Heels shorter than 2.5 inches may use the cover, however, the material will need to be bunched together in order to adjust to a shorter length of heel, thereby appearing to have an accordion effect of vertical ridges of the compacted material. The invention can be cut and tailored to meet various lengths and widths for specific needs, however, the benefits and claims of the present invention meets a wide range of women's high heel shoes in its ability to adjust to a variety of different length and width of heels ranging from 2.5 inches and up to 5 inches in length, and from stiletto one quarter inch wide up to 1 inch in thickness.

Hood

FIG. 5 the hood portion of the present heel cover comprises; an exterior contour 20,19 for covering upper rear sole 4, a top portion cover 18 for top of sole 5, two lateral sides 24,25 which cover the partial length of left and right sides of sole 6, an underside portion 14 which partially covers the interior of sole 10, and a top loop 15,17. The hood comprises a seam across the top 18 of rear sole where the left and right lateral sides 24,25 are joined together, and an opening top loop 15,17 left for heel insertion, altogether forming an envelope or enclosure surrounding the rear of top sole 4,5, side sole 6, and underneath of sandal's sole 10.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 the exterior contour of hood 20,19, the part which covers the upper rear sole, forms a C shape to accommodate the rounded curved portion of where the heel part 3 joins the sole part 4 of the sandal shoe.

FIG. 5 the top portion of the heel cover 18,24,25, covers the rear top portion of shoe sole 5 and is comprised of the two lateral sides 24,25 joined together by a top seam 18. Once the cover is installed over the high heel sandal the top seam 18 runs across the top of rear exterior of sole 5 and may run a length up to 2.5 inches along sole. Depending on the thickness of sole, a thicker sole will retract and shorten the length of the stretchable material of cover, and where a thinner sole, will lengthen out to the full 2.5 inches in the direction toward front portion of sole. The top seam 18 is concealed when the foot is inserted into the sandal shoe. The seam is quite comfortable to step on and does not affect the mobility of the foot. Once the cover is installed and the foot is in motion, the top part of cover 18,24,25 over the top of sole 5 may be viewable if the foot lifts off of shoe when walking. The top portion of cover 18,24,25 is made so that if the foot shifts in motion while in sandal, the fabric design of top cover 18,24,25 will appear to be the continuation of the elongated heel's design 22,21,12,13 to give the appearance of a heel 2,3,9,8,7 and sole 4,5,6,10 of sandal as one entity or part.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 the body of the hood cover of the present invention includes two symmetrical lateral side portions 24,25 which divides the cover of left and right sides both attached to the top seam 18, and is fitted with stretchable material around the top sole 5, sides of sole 6, and is attached to the underside seam 14 found underneath of sole shown in FIG. 6. Both left and right sides are identical, however, only one of the sides of the cover is shown in the drawings.

FIG. 6 illustrates an underside view of heel cover 14 applied under high heel sandal's sole 10. When the cover is installed the underside portion of cover comprises a connecting seam of the joining of the two lateral sides 24,25 under the sole of sandal shoe 10. As mentioned earlier in the elongated heel portion section, the underside seam 14 shown in FIG. 5, is also connected to the interior of the elongated heel portion 13. The underside portion of cover 14 may run a length up to 1 inch long and connects to the bottom portion of the top loop 15. The length of underside portion of stretchable material may expand or retract depending on the thickness of underneath sole 10 and its adjoining interior portion of where heel meets sole 7.

Lastly, the cover in use, shown in FIG. 5. comprises a top loop 15,17 which form fits the thickness of a sandal's sole. The top loop 15,17 opening can accommodate a sole's width ranging from one quarter inch and can be stretched up to 4 inches of full stretch cover. The top loop 15,17 allows for heel insertion shown in FIG. 3 and for rear sole insertion shown in FIG. 4 illustrating the hood 20,19 and top loop 15,17 being pulled over rear sole 4,5,6. FIG. 5 the top loop 15,17 remains fitted around the top 5, lateral sides 6, and underneath portion of sole 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4 is an illustration of how to apply heel cover to an open back high heel sandal shoe. In FIG. 3 the top lift of heel 1 is inserted into the top loop 15,17 of hood. FIG. 4 demonstrates the balance of heel portion 12,13,22,21 inserted through the elongated heel cover portion showing top lift of heel 1 appearing through the bottom loop 11,23. FIG. 4 illustrates the final step with directional arrows pulling the hood cover portion 20,19,18,17,15 forward over the back portion of sole 4,5,6 until material reaches its full length stretch potential. FIG. 6 the underside portion 14 of hood adjusts to the length and width of underside sole 10 and may require the material to be straightened to avoid bunching or folds in material cover.

The removal of heel cover is as simple as it is in applying the cover to high heel sandal shoe. Begin by pulling hood from the top loop 17 in a backward motion off the back sole 5,4,3 of shoe and proceed to pull the bottom loop 11,23 of elongated heel portion cover in a downward motion until the heel cover slips off sandal shoe.

The embodiments of this invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 

1. A decorative shoe cover for use of covering a woman's open back high heel sandal shoe of the type having a sole comprising a top, lateral and underside portion, with an elongated heel portion, the cover comprising: a continuous body made from two pieces of stretch fabric cut symmetrically to the shape of the back portion of an open back high heel sandal shoe similar to the shape of the letter P, the body of the cover shaped to form fit and specifically cover the back end portion of open back high heel sandal, the body including; an expandable form fitting elongated heel portion and a form fitting hood portion comprised of; top portion of where the heel of foot rests and where the two lateral side portions are joined together by a top seam; a hood further comprising; an exterior contour portion which covers the upper rear sole forming a C shape; two lateral side portions that form fit and cover left and right sides of shoe sole and where both sides are attached by way of a seam found at the underside portion of cover; and a body comprising a top and bottom loop opening for heel insertion and top lift exposure.
 2. The heel cover of claim 1, wherein said material of shoe cover is made of a stretch fabric further comprises: a two dimensional stretch fabric, stretchable in the direction from side to side and from top to bottom which enables heel cover to fit over various shapes, widths, and dimensions of different pairs of high heel sandal shoes.
 3. The heel cover of claim 1, wherein the body of the cover is comprised of a continuous uninterrupted piece, with the exception of a top loop opening for receiving a shoe heel and a bottom loop opening where top lift of heel is inserted and exposed outside of the bottom loop.
 4. The heel cover of claim 1, wherein the stretchable form fitting elongated heel portion comprises a bottom loop that measures one quarter inch wide and is stretchable up to 1 inch wide to accommodate the various size difference of top lifts found at the bottom part of high heel shoes.
 5. The heel cover of claim 1, wherein the form fitting hood portion comprises a top loop opening for heel insertion; wherein its final process of heel cover application, the top loop is pulled over the rear portion of sole; a top loop comprising stretchable qualities to accommodate various thickness and dimensions of a sandals' sole from one quarter inch and up to 4 inches.
 6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the interior portion and exterior portion of the elongated heel cover has stretchable qualities that are form fitting and measure 2.5 inches in length and is stretchable up to 5 inches long and a width of one quarter inch and has stretchable qualities up to 1 inch wide with measurements to accommodate high heels that are thin at the bottom and which widens up along heel portion and also fit width of stiletto type heels up to a one inch thick heel.
 7. The cover of claim 6, wherein the elongated heel cover is made of stretchable material that can easily extend or retract to accommodate heel lengths from 2.5 inches and up to 5 inches in a form fitting manner; the heel cover can accommodate heel lengths shorter than 2.5 inches by simply bunching the material in an upward motion along the heel length which results in an accordion effect of vertical ridges of compacted material along the heel portion.
 8. The heel cover of claim 1, wherein the form fitting elongated heel cover further comprises an interior heel wall portion and an exterior heel wall portion made of stretchable material that is joined together by two seams, one beginning from the exterior mid center of bottom loop continuing along the rear exterior of heel portion and continues to follow the rear exterior contour of hood and crosses the top of hood until the top loop is met, and where the second seam of the interior heel wall portion begins from the interior mid center of bottom loop and runs up along interior heel portion and across the underside portion of hood cover till the bottom of top loop is met.
 9. The heel cover of claim 1, a cover comprises a form fitting hood portion shaped to form fit the exterior contour of sole, the top rear portion of sole, underside portion of sole, and the left and right lateral side portions of sole, so as to form an envelope or enclosure of material surrounding the entire rear portion of sandal.
 10. The heel cover of claim 1, wherein a cover comprising a top portion, covers the rear top portion of sole and is where a top seam is found of the joining of the left and right lateral sides of the shoe cover.
 11. The heel cover of claim 1, wherein the cover of the fitted hood portion comprises two lateral side portions of left and right sides that are symmetrical and connected to each other by way of a seam over the top of sole; whereby the lateral sides form an envelope around the sole portion of top, sides, and connects to the underside portion of shoe where the left and right sides of cover are joined by another seam found at the underside portion of shoe sole.
 12. The heel cover of claim 1, wherein the hood of cover contains a form fitting underside portion which covers the underside of sole and contains a seam that begins at the bottom portion of the top loop and runs along the underside portion of hood until it is met with the interior portion of elongated heel wall.
 13. The heel cover of claim 12, wherein a form fitting cover with an underside portion covers the underside of sole and contains a seam which further comprises the measurements of a length of 1 inch seam having stretchable qualities to expand or retract adjusting to dimensions of upper heel portion and underside dimensions of shoe sole. 